Urarv

ARGENTUM

SVART AVANT-BLACK METAL VETERAN SOURCES MORE SIGNAL FROM CHAOS

Formed by Björn Aldrahn Dencker of Dødheimsgard/Thorns way back in 2003, it seems that this Urarv are suddenly keen not to waste any time, with this record coming hot on the heels of last year’s debut, Aurum. Argentum turns out to be almost exactly half the length of its predecessor and – perhaps because of this – also a more compelling and consistent listen. The twisting songs are still inventive, whimsical and unpredictable, but they’re also focused and stirring, throwing in plenty of rousing riffs among those discordant sidesteps that recall those black metal bands Björn has sung with in the past. His vocals are more all over the place than ever, and gleefully so. That certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, but for those wishing to engage with the madness this is a convincing and memorable slice of avant-garde Scandinavian black metal.

FOR FANS OF: DØDHEIMSGARD, FLEURETY, VED BUENS ENDE